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The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are the foundation for federal nutrition education and promotion programs as well as the basis for food assistance programs.

They are based on the latest nutrition research, and reviewed, updated, and released by the United States Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services every five years.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released this fall. They were written by an advisory committee made up of 13 independent experts who are nationally recognized in the fields of nutrition and health.

These new guidelines will help Americans choose eating patterns that are nutrient rich and calorie balanced. Ideally, Americans will reduce energy intake (calories) and include more healthful foods into the total diet by eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat milk products and lean meat, and reduce added sugars, solid fats, refined grains, and sodium.

The 2010 Guidelines suggest that all sectors of society get involved in the development and implementation of this plan to help Americans eat well and be physically active.

The focus will be on children because prevention of obesity must begin in childhood.

Several specific recommendations were made to help Americans adopt these changes: